So I'm in a sticky situation and I need advice.
My best friend married a foreigner, and they can't settle anywhere. He can't work here, she can't work there. They are constantly kicked out of each others countries and keep having a move every few months. She is having a baby, so this isn't a good life style.
They are trying to apply for her husband's green card so he can go to work and school in America and they can settle down. But by US law they need a financial sponsor.
Basically the sponsor agrees that if they can't pay their bills, etc, you take full responsibly for them. You would also be required to pay back any government services they get such as food stamps, medicaid, etc.
While I love my friend she is one of the most irresponsible people I have ever met. I do NOT want to be legally bound to her financial situation. She is at her wits end because literally no one in her family makes the income requirements, or they have been in trouble in the past for tax fraud. So she is reaching out to friends.
She is what I would call a gypsy and has never worked or lived any where more than 4 months. All her friends are the same, and as such none of them have made real wages, or they don't pay taxes.
So that leaves me. The boring person who stayed home and works. I barely make enough to meet the income requirements. When she asked me I agreed to sign for her because I thought I was just vouching that her husband is a good person, and not a bum. But my husband made me back out when we found out about all the financial legalities as well.
Has anyone ever done this? Is it a serious manner, that I am right to not want to do? I don't ever want to ruin my credit, or owe the government for something they do or didn't pay. But if it's mostly just a good faith voucher, I would be fine with that...
I just don't know much about it.
Help?
Sponsoring an Immigrant
November 6th, 2016 at 09:10 pm
November 6th, 2016 at 09:52 pm 1478469135
I would be honest with her that you have looked into it further and you and your husband have agreed not to sign anything that has any potential of financial liability. And unfortunately that appears to be what is being asked.
November 6th, 2016 at 10:07 pm 1478470039
November 6th, 2016 at 11:36 pm 1478475362
November 7th, 2016 at 12:06 am 1478477183
November 7th, 2016 at 12:35 am 1478478938
November 7th, 2016 at 01:50 am 1478483414
November 7th, 2016 at 02:11 am 1478484706
November 7th, 2016 at 02:35 am 1478486101
November 7th, 2016 at 03:22 am 1478488948
November 7th, 2016 at 05:03 am 1478495009
I sponsored my DH who was a graduate student making the same. If we qualify and were at that income level in Southern California anyone can do it. I have no idea how they can't qualify. We did everything asap because the moment we got married we walked right over and got him his application for a green card. After all he no longer could be on his visa status.
She needs to get a job. I was making the equivalent of $8/hr, less because we worked a lot more. But if they would approve me making that then even working at walmart or target will likely be enough.
November 7th, 2016 at 06:19 am 1478499547
November 7th, 2016 at 01:35 pm 1478525759
Bad deal. If what you say about her past history is true, this could ruin you.
Plus, maybe the best route is to have her come here and get a job, stay with family, get on her feet then sponsor him herself!!
November 7th, 2016 at 02:09 pm 1478527795
There is no way she would make the income requirements even if she got a job. Husband and I barely make $40k a year, and that is with two well over minimum wage jobs. Her husband's income can't count, because he technically not allowed to work.
ThiftoRama it gets fuzzy there... In some parts it says your responsibility ends after they are a citizen or after they have 10 full time working years. But in another section it mentions being responsible for paying back government services even after they are a permanent resident. So yes, scary.
They are currently living with her parents in the US.
November 7th, 2016 at 02:11 pm 1478527896
November 7th, 2016 at 05:08 pm 1478538525
November 7th, 2016 at 08:57 pm 1478552259
My brother in law is a foreign national. Dad sponsored him. Big problems now that they are divorced. Dad could be on the hook for THOUSANDS upwards of 100K AND could have to pay my sister the child support BIL has not paid in 6 years.
I am sorry from your friend and her situation but it is her legal and financial issue. Not yours.
November 8th, 2016 at 01:03 pm 1478610200
Reading your post was very alarming. I'm glad to see in subsequent comments that you definitely will steer clear of this. You can still be friends, but she should be mature enough to realize friendship is one thing, putting your own financial stability on the line for another person with a very bad track record is another thing.
It reminds me of someone I used to work with at the bank. I liked her very much on a personal level, but her work habits on the job I totally disapproved of. Basically, she didn't want to work or be there at all and she came up with all sorts of clever ways to avoid coming in. It really got to me because she was taking advantage of the woman we both reported to, and our manager was oblivious to what was going on.
I know you work very hard to manage your personal finances responsibly; something like this could totally upend things.
November 8th, 2016 at 05:26 pm 1478625969
Somehow I was approved to allow my DH to stay on $18k. If I can do that without a single penny of help or telling our parents then it can be done. And where you live is cheaper. What's poverty level where you are?
She can do it if she wanted and there should be no excuses if she wants her husband with her. I get that she's pregnant, but then it's time to look for work that maybe he can help like cleaning houses? Delivering papers?
I know what I made when we submitted I have all electronic and hard copies we submitted. Like I said I made $18k. That's about what you make?
November 21st, 2016 at 12:33 am 1479688391
I was 27 and NOT a high earner, although I did not have debt and had a tiny amount of savings. The financial bar is not that high.
So glad to hear you are NOT going to doing this!